Echobelly - Anarchy and Alchemy
Echobelly were always one of my favourite Britpop bands. Sonya Madan's vocals provided the perfect antidote to the laddish exploits of Albarn and Gallagher, whilst Glenn Johansson's guitar smoothly injected Smiths-like texturing into their sound. Recent news that Madan and Johansson were together again and ready to tour as Echobelly was swiftly followed by the even better news that a new album was ripe for release. Anarchy and Alchemy is a great title, and promises an explosive mixture of revolution and reaction, yet the truth, perhaps, is a little more muted. To be fair, there is not a bad track on the album, and Madan's voice engulfs us throughout with comfortable familiarity. But, with the exception of Molotov, there is little here that sounds either incendiary or reactionary.
Instead we have the almost Iberian beauty of Firefly wooing us with classic Echobelly vibes, Flesh'n'Bones which is gorgeously moody and atmospheric, and Autumn Angel which declares an acceptance of growing old with grace. A good collection, but not a great one. Remember, though, that Echobelly come from a high place with a mighty legacy as a yardstick with which to beat themselves. It was never going to be easy.
6/10
